U.S. Must Continue Leadership In Efforts To Eradicate Polio

Jun 19, 2013

“Twenty-five years after we set out to achieve one of the most ambitious public health goals ever, we are within reach of the finish line: polio eradication,” Alan Hinman, director for programs at the Center for Vaccine Equity at the Task Force for Global Health, writes in the Huffington Post’s “Impact” blog. He reviews the history of polio immunization and says the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has made an “extraordinary” impact. Hinman also outlines the roles played by the CDC, USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Rotary International. He continues, “We are closer than ever to ending polio. Insufficient human and financial resources now could compromise our chance of success — and the longer it takes, the more expensive it will be. The U.S. must continue its leadership and commit additional funding to achieve the goal” (6/17).